Research on this subject indicate that the human brain continues to develop until approximately early twenties and a developing brain exposed to alcohol may suffer lasting effects on intellectual capabilities and may increase the chances of alcohol addiction. Every year approximately 5,000 children and young people under 21 years as a result of alcohol under the legal age allowed – due to vehicular accidents, homicides and suicides. Dangers associated with alcohol consumption of adolescents age of first use of alcohol affects of alcohol problems that appear later in adulthood.

For each year that will delay the onset of alcohol consumption is reduced by 14 percent the risk of later alcohol dependence.

Driving and drinking alcohol
The major cause of death for people between 15 and 20 years of age is due to auto accidents. Approximately 1,900 people under 21 die each year from car accidents involving alcohol for minors. Young people are more susceptible to a negative effect on driving skills. Drivers between 16 and 20 years are twice as likely to be involved in a fatal car accident that those drivers over 21 who drink alcohol.

Suicide
Alcohol use interacts with conditions such as depression and stress and contributes about 300 cases of adolescent suicides per year. High school students who drink are twice as likely to have seriously attempted suicide, compared with the youth of the same age who do not drink. The minimum legal age for drinking is 21.

How to prevent teens have easy access to alcoholic beverages
The drinking of adolescents are not inevitable. More than 56 percent of high school students do not consume alcohol, which reduces the levels of risk of injury. All adults can play a role in reducing adolescent access to alcohol-related harm and alcohol consumption. Teenagers say it’s easy to get alcohol.

For children, the main sources of alcohol are the social sources, such as family and friends. Parents strongly support the establishment of the legal age of 21 years to consume alcoholic beverages. In a recent nationwide survey, 79 percent of parents said the legal age for drinking should remain the same or increased.